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[an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) Russians: Something hit, sunk sub By Nick Wadhams Associated Press Writer MOSCOW - Russian prosecutors have begun a criminal investigation into allegations that a nuclear submarine that crashed to the sea floor had collided with a vessel that later escaped, the Interfax news agency reported Saturday. Military prosecutors believe that vessel, which has not been found, violated safety rules and was directly responsible for the sinking of the Kursk, Interfax said, citing unidentified sources. All 118 sailors aboard were killed. A spokesman at the prosecutor's office Saturday could not confirm the report. Russian experts have not determined what caused two explosions aboard the Kursk, which sank Aug. 12 during exercises in the Barents Sea. Military officials claim the most likely scenario was that the Kursk collided with another vessel, most likely a foreign submarine. Interfax said the alleged vessel was being investigated for "violation of safety rules in the movement and use of rail, air or water transport, which resulted in the death of two or more people because of carelessness." The United States and Britain have denied having any vessels nearby that could have collided with the Kursk. Norway, which monitored the explosion and played a key role in the rescue effort, reported no evidence of a collision. Some observers say the most likely reason for the sinking of the Kursk was an internal malfunction and explosion in the submarine's torpedo compartment. Russian officials also have not ruled out that the Kursk hit a World War II-era mine. The cause of the disaster probably will not be known until experts study the shattered submarine more closely, if it can be raised. Russia is negotiating with Norwegian and Dutch companies to raise the Kursk. On Friday, Russian officials sought to quash concern around the world over the Kursk's two nuclear reactors. Officials say there is no sign of unusual radiation levels around the submarine, but there is growing concern that the reactors are not safe and may begin leaking. [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) Visit our back issue library Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Western Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Corvallis Gazette-Times | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | | Ashland Daily Tidings | Gresham Outlook | Springfield News | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2000 Lee Northwest Publishing